Another Fresh attack by armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Thursday night in Jebbu Miango Village in Bassa LGC of Plateau State has left five persons dead.
Police Public Relation officer in the State, DSP Mathias Terna while confirming the attacks on Friday morning in Jos said three people were killed and burnt by the armed men.
He gave their names as Danlami Gomaster male of Kwall District and Emmanuel Audu male of Jebbu-Miango were identified while the last person is yet to be identified.
“8 other persons sustained various degree of gunshot injuries and were taken to Enos Hospital in Bassa for medical treatment 20 housing units were also set ablaze. Investigation is on to unravel the remote and immediate causes of these attacks”
“Yesterday at about 1900hrs, the Police Division in Bassa Local Government received a distress call that Jebbu-Miango in Bassa was under attack. The Division immediately informed the Command and we mobilised to the place”.
“While we were close to the village, the armed men suspected to be Fulani Herdsman sighted us and took to their heels.
However, the Public Relations Officer of the Irigwe Development Association in Bassa LGC Mr Malakai Gulu has also disclosed that the gunmen also opened fire on the vehicle believed to be conveying travellers from Jos, said many on board were missing and other wounded.
He said the attacks is the third in the Miango villages within one week which is believed to be carried out by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The IDA had last week raised alarm over threats by the Fulani to attack Bassa villages following a press statement by the Fulani umbrella body, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association alleging that the Irigwe youths killed their cattle and a youth near Ganawuri in Riyom.
The attack extended into nearby villages, resulting in more casualties and burning of houses.
Securities link the attacks to reprisals by the Fulani who had last two weeks reported the loss of some cattle and a youth in attacks by suspected Irigwe youths.
But, the IDA PRO, Mr. Gu, however,er said, “That is all propaganda because when they go for attacks and they lose one or two people in self-defense, they will take pictures of the casualties and begin to paint we the victims as the culprits.”
Meanwhile Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State is saddened with the spate of insecurity in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas that has culminated in the loss of lives and properties recently.
Lalong in a Press statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity Mr Daniel Manjang described the attacks as unfortunate and highly condemnable.
He warns criminal elements to allow peace to reign on the Plateau or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
Governor Lalong commiserates with the communities particularly the families that have lost their loved ones and properties.
He assures them that government will do everything humanly possible within its mandate to secure lives and properties of its citizens, not only in these Local Government Areas but in the entire state.
He has also directed the security agencies to take charge and stop the situation from further escalating.
Governor Lalong in the statement calls on all the peace loving citizens of the State to be vigilant and sensitive to strange elements around them and report such to the appropriate authorities, adding that they should remain calm and go about their normal duties without any fear of intimidation and molestation.
